Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2017 Mar;60(2):232-235. 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.2.232.

Pulmonary embolism in a healthy woman using the oral contraceptives containing desogestrel

• Park MJ
• Jeon GH

• KMID: 2372811
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2017.60.2.232

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism is well known as one of the rare but serious adverse effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). The COCs with third and fourth generation progestogens were found to have higher risk of venous thrombosis than those with second generation progestogens. We present a case of pulmonary embolism in a 23-year-old nulligravid woman who was using COCs containing the third generation progestogen (desogestrel). At the time of presentation of the adverse effect, she had been using the COCs for 4 months. She had no additional risk factors for thrombosis such as smoking, surgery, tumor as well as genetic factors. This case demonstrates even young women in otherwise good health may be at risk of venous thromboembolism from low-dose formulations of COCs as an over-the-counter drug. We describe this case with a brief review of literatures.

Keyword

Contraceptives, oral, combined; Desogestrel; Pulmonary embolism

MeSH Terms

Contraceptives, Oral*
Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
Desogestrel*
Female
Humans
Progestins
Pulmonary Embolism*
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Thrombosis
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thrombosis
Young Adult
Contraceptives, Oral
Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
Desogestrel
Progestins
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Chest computed tomography (contrast enhanced) showing acute pulmonary thromboembolism involving basal segmental branch of right lower lobe (arrow).

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